Role Profile - Operational Context Form

Lancashire County Council Role Profile - Operational Context Form

Post title: Student Counsellor Directorate: CYP Location: Schools

Establishment or Post number:

team: Staff Grade: Grade 9 Essential Car responsibility: user: Purpose of the role (job statement) To provide a counselling and mentoring service to meet the individual needs and behaviour management of pupils, supporting their positive social and emotional development. Accountabilities/Responsibilities – appropriate for this post: Key duties: 1. Support pupils experiencing difficulties that may impact on their learning, wellbeing, social and educational development through counselling 2. Signpost to and arrange support from external agencies for pupils 3. Provide support to vulnerable groups, including those at risk of exclusion, with emotional or behavioural difficulties, looked after children or those at risk of harm / abuse 4. Liaise with parents / carers on issues relating to individual pupils problems and needs 5. Provide professional support and advice to other school staff 6. Maintain confidential pupil case records.

Individuals in this role may also: 1. Initiate and develop support groups for pupils with particular emotional support needs 2. Develop activities to engage pupils and teachers in creating a positive school culture with regard to behaviour conduct and other areas of good practice.

Additional supporting information – specific to this post. Indicative knowledge, skills and experience  Must have a Diploma in Counselling Prepared by: EPR Team Date: 03/08/2011

The above form sets out the area of work in which duties will generally be focused, and gives an example of the type of duties that the postholder could be asked to carry out. PLEASE NOTE that this is for guidance only. Postholders are expected to be flexible and to operate in different areas of work/carry out different duties as required.

Equal opportunities We are committed to achieving equal opportunities in the way we deliver services to the community and in our employment arrangements. We expect all employees to understand and promote this policy in their work.

Health and safety All employees have a responsibility for their own health and safety and that of others when carrying out their duties and must co- operate with us to apply our general statement of health and safety policy.

Safeguarding Commitment We are committed to protecting and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

Customer Focus We put our customers’ needs and expectations at the heart of all that we do. We expect our employees to have a full understanding of those needs and expectations so that we can provide high quality, appropriate services at all times.

Skills Pledge We are committed to developing the skills of our workforce. All employees will be supported to work towards a level 2 qualification in literacy and /or numeracy if they do not have one already. Grade Profile

Level Three – Technical/Professional (Grade 9)

Level Three Purpose Qualified professionals providing technical/professional services and advice to customers within a specific service area. Uses expertise to deliver workload for which they have a stand alone professional responsibility.

Scope of Work Their work will be based on a theoretical understanding of their technical/professional field, but they will be operating within well established professional procedures and defined Council policies. Work will involve a broad range of complex problems and role holders will need to manage changing priorities and use professional judgment to respond to differing situations.

Accountabilities/Responsibilities . Deliver and manage a full range of professional assignments and activities (e.g. inspections, assessments, investigations, caseloads) within a defined area to meet service requirements and to ensure Council compliance with statutory, regulatory and professional requirements. This will include more complex and high risk work than at Level Two. . Provide specialist advice and guidance to internal/external customers, making technical/professional recommendations about a course of action appropriate to the situation. . Provide technical assistance and specialist training to more junior colleagues or external parties to ensure they are equipped to deliver their responsibilities. . Identify opportunities for improvements to policies and procedures within work area in order to improve professional practice and customer service. This may include periodically providing analysis of management information to more senior professionals regarding possible improvements. . Plan, control and manage small/medium projects to meet a well defined brief, and provide input to larger projects to resolve specific issues. This may include analysing complex data and producing ad hoc reports using professional expertise. . Develop and maintain effective relationships and communications with other agencies and service providers to share information, build working relationships and to ensure joined up service provision.

Skills, knowledge and experience . Typically degree qualified (or equivalent) in relevant subject plus number of years experience in a similar role OR significant vocational experience, demonstrating development through involvement in a series of progressively more demanding relevant roles . Formal professional qualification within specialism (if applicable) . Up to date and thorough knowledge and understanding of the work practices, systems, processes and procedures relevant to the role, and a good understanding of the Council policies and services related to the role. . Detailed understanding of the professional, regulatory, statutory and corporate frameworks/standards relevant to the role. . Sound analytical and problem solving capability. . Able to formally train and mentor other professional staff . Ability to influence others’ behaviour through effective relationship building. In addition to the skills, knowledge and experience described, you may be required to undertake a lower graded role as appropriate.

Performance Measures . Quality of own work against legal, safety and best practice standards . Achievement of relevant service targets . Adherence to internal/external quality standards if applicable . Adherence to policies and procedures . Accuracy and timeliness of information recording and processing . Customer and stakeholder feedback